Necktie assistant



y 1970 P. E. CARVER 3,510,032

' NECKTIE ASSISTANT Filed July 15, 1967 [/VVE/VTOB Paqq' e E Char/en B)United States Patent US. Cl. 223-411 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A necktie assistant which is independent of any index mark orother indicia affixed to the necktie and also is independent of theusers shirt button as a gaging means. The necktie assistant includes ameasuring rod having a hook on the upper end for engaging the usersshirt collar. The measuring rod depends along the front of the usersshirt and the lower end of the rod is provided with scaled indicia foruse in measuring and recording the proper length of the inward endportion of the necktie prior to tying the necktie knot. A sliding indexmember can be slidably mounted on the rod for cooperation with thescaled indicia or for denoting the proper position directly of theinward or small end of the necktie prior to tying.

The present invention relates to novel means for assisting the user inproperly tying a necktie or the like, and more particularly to suchmeans which can be adjusted in a novel fashion to accommodate thenecktie assisting means to differing sizes of neckties and to differentsizes of users of the necktie assistant.

The commonly used method for gaging the free length of the smaller orinner end portion of the necktie when tying the necktie, involves theuse of one of the users shirt buttons. The user drapes the necktie abouthis neck and extends the inner free end thereof downwardy to apreselected one of his shirt buttons. Purportedly the free inner lengthof the necktie prior to commencement of the tying is thus established.This rather cr-ude method is not very satisfactory in most casesinasmuch as the lengths of neckties differ depending upon the style andthe manufacture. In addition, the elevation of a given button on theusers shirt also varies owing to variations in shirt button spacing andin size and type of the shirt, as dictated by the brand of a givenshirt.

Accordingly the tying of neckties is largely a matter of trial anderror. Frequently the wearer must retie the necktie several times inorder to achieve the proper proportions of the free end thereof in orderto present a stylish appearance. If neckties were of a standardizedlength, the wearer in time might develop a sense of proportion as to theproper length of the inward end portion before tying the necktie knot,however, the lengths of neckties vary considerably from manufacturer tomanufacturer during a given style period. Necktie lengths moreover varyfrom year to year in general with yearly style changes. Even if allneckties were or could be made of a standard length differingthicknesses of material resulting in differing knot sizes would dictatedifferences in length of the inward end portions prior to tying. Thus,some means for precisely gaging the free inward length of the necktieprior to tying the necktie knot are highly desirable.

In the past various attempts have been made to provide suitable meansfor assisting the tying of neckties in a manner to secure the properfree lengths thereof. For example, Pinsuti Pat. No. 2,385,726 disclosesa series of slits in the lining material of the necktie to facilitateshaping the knot. While the slits may aid to some extent in locating thenecktie knot, it requires means to be installed Patented May 5, 1970 iceon every necktie by the manufacturer, which is not likely to occur.Rhein Pat. No. 2,499,260 utilizes a pair of indictators suitably spacedfrom each end of the necktie and placed on the back surfaces thereof. Inuse, the wearer aligns the indicating means to a given horizotnal levelin order to position the necktie for tying. The Rhein arrangementsuffers from the same disadvantages as that noted for the previouslymentioned patent. A somewhat similar arrangement is shown in MintersPat. No. 3,025,- 528 which employs a single indicating member positionedon the back surface of 'the tie and removed from one of the endsthereof. The last mentioned prior arrangement also requires an additionto each necktie manufactured to be of any practical value.

De Jean Pat. No. 3,271,780 discloses the use of a measuring strip,movable indicia, or a mark secured to the back of the necktie, all ofwhich are intended to cooperate with one of the users shirt buttons topre-position the necktie prior to tying the knot. The disadvantages ofemploying a shirt button as a gage for necktie lengths has been pointedout previously. The De Jean arrangement in addition suffers from thedisadvantages pointed out in connection with the previously mentionedpatents.

Moreover all of the prior devices and practices proposed for utilizingand asisting the tying of neckties failed to take into considerationdiffering neck sizes of users and individual preferences in tight orloose shirt collar sizes, in tight or loose necktie knots, and the like.

I overcome these disadvantages of the prior art by providing a necktieassistant which is fabricated independently of the necktie itself andwhich more importantly is adjustable to adapt the necktie assistant tovarious sizes and styles of neckties and to different sizes of users ofthe necktie assistant. My novel necktie assistant does not entail theaddition of any index mark or other indicia to the necktie itself nordoes it depend on the location of individual shirt buttons or the like.Moreover, my novel necktie assistant is arranged to take intoconsideration individual preferences of the user in tightness orlooseness of the dress shirt collar or of the necktie knot.

I accomplished these desirable results by providing means for assistingthe tying of neckties, said means comprising an elongated measuring rod,shirt collar engaged means on one end of said rod, and necktie lengthindicating means on said rod adjacent the other end thereof.

It also desirably provides necktie assisting means wherein said lengthindicating means includes scale indicia on said other rod end portion.

It also desirably provides necktie assisting means wherein said lengthindicating means includes a slider movable along the length of saidmeasuring rod and means forming part of said slider for frictionallyengaging said rod.

It also desirably provides necktie assisting means wherein saidfrictional engagement means is a spring clip having a necktie lengthgage plate mounted transversely thereon.

It also desirably provides necktie assisting means wherein saidmeasuring rod is provided with scale indicia recessed into the surfacethereof, and said frictionally engaging means includes means forengaging said scale indicia to index said slider along the length ofsaid measuring rod.

During the foregoing discussion, various objects features and advantagesof the invention have been set forth. These and other objects, featuresand advantages of the invention together with structural details thereofwill be elaborated upon during the forthcoming description of presentlypreferred embodiments of the invention and presently preferred methodsof practicing the same.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain presently preferredembodiments of the invention and have 3,5 3 illustrated certainpresently preferred methods of practicing the same wherein:

FIG. 1 is perspective view illustrating the use of my novel necktieassistant, arranged in accord with my invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the necktie assistantshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial rear elevational view of the apparatus as shown inFIG. 2 and partially broken away to show a feature of the invention moreclearly.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 3 andtaken along reference line IVIV thereof.

FIG. 5 is a similar view, with parts removed, showing a modified sliderarrangement forming part of the necktie assistant.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of another form of necktie assistantarranged in accordance with my invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial, side elevational view of the apparatus as shown inFIG. 6 and taken along reference line VII- VII of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 6 andtaken along reference line VIII VIII thereof.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view with parts removed, of still anotherform of my novel necktie assistant.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings theillustrative form of the invention shown therein comprises a necktieassistant 10 having an elongated measuring rod 12 having a hook 14 atthe top thereof for fitting over a buttoned shirt collar at the throatof the wearer as better shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. To protect the wearerfrom any sharp edges or the like associated with hook end 16, aprotective cap or guard 18 is slipped over the hook end 16. A similarcap 20 is slipped over lower end 22 of the measuring rod 12 to protectportions of the wearers shirt and/ or necktie which may come intocontact with the lower end 22.

At least the lower portion of the measuring rod 12 is desirably providedwith a series of index marks 24, preferably spaced at regular intervalsalong the length of the measuring rod 12 to aid in the use of thenecktie assistant 10. As better shown in FIG. 1, prior to tying thenecktie 26, the inner or smaller end portion 28 thereof is laid alongthe measuring rod 12 and the proper length thereof is determined by useof the scale or indicia 24. To facilitate measurement of the inner endportion 28 the scale 24 may be divided into inches and fractional inchesas denoted in FIG. 2. Then, with a measurement being previouslyestablished for each necktie or group of neckties of a given length,that necktie or group of neckties such as the necktie 26 can besubsequently tied without trail and error by using the necktie assistant10.

With the arrangement as shown, the necktie assistant 10 is independentof any index means provided on the necktie 26, nor does it depend uponthe location of one of the users shirt buttons.

Although the hooked measuring rod 12 and the protective end caps 18, 20are shown as separate items, it is contemplated that the measuring rodand rounded ends thereof provided by the caps 18, 20 can be molded inone piece as described hereinafter in connection with FIG. 9. The latterarrangement is particularly desirable where the measuring rod 12 is madefrom a readily available plastic material.

If desired the scale 24 can be dispensed with and an adjustable slidermechanism 30 can be utilized instead to determine the length of theinner necktie end portion 28. Alternatively, the scale and slidingmechanism can be employed cooperately for setting measurements forseveral ties of differing overall lengths. Thus, slider 30, which isfrictionally engaged with the rod 12 as described in detail hereinafter,can 'be moved along the length of the rod 12 to an elevation such asthat shown in FIGS. 1, 2

or 6 where the lower inner end 32 of the necktie 26 is properlypositioned prior to tying. The lower end cap 20 additionally preventsinadvertent removal of the slider 30 from the rod 12.

'Desirably the slider is provided with suitable tightening means such asknurled nut 34 which threadedly engages threaded stud 36 on the slider30 as better shown in FIG. 4. In this arrangement the stud 36 includesan expanded inner end 38 which is entrapped in a complementary drawnapertured portion 40 of top plates 42 of the slider 30. The edges of thetop plate 42 as better shown in FIG. 3 are crimped over the adjacentedges of lower slider plate 44 which is provided with a channeledportion 46 closely receiving the measuring rod 12. As better shown inFIG. 3 the enlarged end of the thus pivotably mounted screw 36 isprovided with one or more grooves 48 which can be aligned with thechannel portion 46. When so aligned measuring rod 12 can be readilypushed through the channel portion 46. However, tightening of theknurled adjustment nut 34 rotates screw 36 slightly to mis-align theassociated groove 48 with the channel portion 46 to clamp the adjacentportion of the measuring rod 12 therebetween.

An alternative arrangement of the slider is shown in FIG. 5 of thedrawing. In the latter arrangement, the slider 30 includes screw 50secured to lower plate 44' of the slider 30', as by spot welding orbrazing at either side of its channel 46 as denoted by referencecharacters 52. The area of the upper plate 42' need not be extrudedadjacent its aperture 40' and screw 50 can freely pass therethrough,save for its securance to lower plate 44' as aforesaid. Before the screw50 is secured to bottom plate 44' its inward portion desirably isbifurcated or otherwise provided with a longitudinally extending slit onnotch 54. Threads 56 of screw 50 are desirably tapered so thattightening of a suitable adjustment nut (not shown in FIG. 5) such asthe nut 34 of FIG. 4 tends to move the bifurcate inner ends 58 of screw50 together and thereby tightening channel 46' about the adjacentportion of the measuring rod 12 to clamp the slider 30 thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-8 of the drawings another arrangement of mynovel necktie assistant 10 is disclosed therein. In the lattermodification of my invention measuring rod 12' may or may not beprovided with a measuring scale such as that shown in FIG. 2 of thedrawings, depending upon whether a slider is used thereon or whether ascale is desired in conjunction with the slider when employed thereon.The alternative or co-operative use of the scale 24 applies also toFIGS. 15. FIGS. 68 illustrate another modification of the slider 30,which in certain forms thereof co-operates in a unique manner with themeasuring rod 12. Thus, as better shown in FIG. 6 slider 30" includes aspring clip 60 having a transverse slit 67 therein preferably on theside of the clip 60 away from hook 14' as better shown in FIG. 7 for thereason mentioned below. Spring clip 60 is provided with a firstmeasuring rod engaging portion 62 which is intermediate its looped andapertured end portions 64. Additional measuring rod engaging portions 66are also disposed between the ends of the spring clip 60 (on the otherside of the rod 12) adjacent each side respectively of its transverseslit 67. A gage plate 68 is secured to the spring clip 60 as bysoldering or brazing or the like and the junction therebetween isstabilized by inserting a projection 70 of the inward edge of the gageplate 68 a short distance into the slit 67 of the spring clip 60. Themeasuring rod engaging portions 62 and 66 of the spring clip 60preferably are laterally spaced so that a frictional engagement betweenthe measuring rod 12 and the rod-engaging surfaces 62 and 66 of the clip60 is preserved by the end loops 64 of the spring clip. Thus, the slider30 is resistantly moved along the measuring rod 12 to determine theproper length of inner tie portion 28 in the same manner as notedpreviously in connection with sliders 30 and 30'. When moving the slider30" side'wise swinging and release of the necktie inner or small end 32(FIG. 1) is prevented by upwardly bent wings 69 (FIG. 6) of the gageplate 68.

In accordance with another arrangement of my novel necktie assistant 10'the scale indicia 24' desirably are recessed into the material of themeasuring rod 12 as 'better shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In co-operation withthe indicia 24', which may include intermediate half-inch markings 24"also recessed, the inwardly projecting edge 70 of the gage plate 68projects through the slider slit 67 and slightly inwardly of theadjacent measuring rod engaging portions 66 of the spring clip 60. Thus,as the slider 30" is moved along the length of the measuring rod 12 theinner edge 70 of the gage plate 68 snaps into a given one of therecessed indicia 24' or 24" to position the gage plate 68 in alignmenttherewith so that the slider can be indexed along that length of themeasuring rod 12' on which the measuring indicia are thus provided.

From the foregoing it will be seen that novel necktie assistant meanshave been disclosed herein which do not require any index mark or otherattachment to be secured to individual neckties of the user and whichare independent of the position of shirt buttons or the like. Moreover,my novel necktie assistant such as the assistant 10 or 10' can beinstalled on the shirt of the user and manipulated after the top orcollar button thereof is fastened so that my necktie assistant isindependent of the neck size of the wearer and also of the tightness orlooseness of the collar fit which the wearer may prefer. My novelnecktie assistants do not require any modification in either the necktieitself or in the shirt selected by the user. It is constructed toprevent wearing engagement with the users clothing particularly with thenecktie and the shirt and also to prevent abrasion or other injury tothe users skin particularly at the collar hook 14.

When the measuring rod 12 is molded with integral rounded ends from aplastic material, it is contemplated that the measuring rod such as therod 12" in FIG. 9 can be provided with a rounded lower end 72 so as notto increase the diameter of the measuring rod 12", when one of theaforementioned sliders or equivalent is to be slipped thereon. Measuringrod 12" can be provided with a similar end portion adjacent its hookedend 14" or with a balled end 74 as shown.

From the foregoing it will the apparent that novel and efficient formsof necktie assistant have been described herein. While I have shown anddescribed certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention andhave illustrated presently preferred methods of practicing the same itis to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited theretobut may be variously embodied and practiced within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

I claim:

1. Means for assisting the tying of neckties, said means comprising anelongated measuring rod, shirt collar engaging means on one end of saidrod, said engaging means being shaped to fit closely over a buttonedshirt collar and to depend said rod therefrom, said rod being shaped todepend along the central front area of said shirt, and necktie lengthindicating means on the other end thereof.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the ends of said rod areprovided with abrasion reducing cap members respectively.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said length indicatingmeans includes scale indicia on said other rod end portion.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said length indicatingmeans includes a slider movable along the length of said measuring rod,and closely fitted relative to at least that side of said rod from whichsaid collar engaging means extend, and means forming part of said sliderfor frictionally engaging said rod.

5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said frictionallyengaging means include a screw clamp arrangement mounted on said sliderat a side of said rod generally opposite from said collar engaging meansside, said clamp arrangement being positioned to denote said necktielength.

6. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said frictionallyengaging means is a spring clip having a necktie length gage platemounted transversely thereon.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said spring clip isprovided with a transversely extending slit and said plate is closelyfitted into said slit.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein said measuring rod isprovided with scale indicia recessed into the surface thereof, and saidgauge plate includes an edge portion projecting through said slit andinwardly of said spring clip for resilient and indexing engagement insaid recessed indicia as said spring clip is slid along said measuringrod.

9. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said slider includes achanneled portion closely fitted about said measuring rod, screwadjustment means on said slider and including a threaded stud havingbifurcate inner end portions secured respectively to opposed sides ofsaid channel, and tapped member threadedly engaged with said stud formoving said bifurcate portions toward one another when said tappedmember is tightened on said stud to tighten said channel portion aboutsaid measuring rod, said tapped member being positioned to denote saidnecktie length.

10. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said measuring rod isprovided with scale indicia recessed into the surface thereof, and saidfrictionally engaging means includes means for resilient insertion intosaid recessed scale indicia to index said slider along the length ofsaid measuring rod.

11. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said gage plate isprovided with upwardly bent wing portions adjacent the ends thereofrespectively.

12. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said collar engagingmeans are provided with an abrasion reducing cap member, and means areprovided on said other rod end for retaining said slide on said rod.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 649,011 5/ 1900 Szafka.

865,137 9/1907 Wallen. 1,390,340 9/1921 Carlson 33-15 1,655,239 1/ 1928Priputnevich 33-165 1,856,149 5/1932 Ball 248-411 2,122,868 7/1938Morgan 248-408 XR 2,913,790 11/ 1959 Meisen 24-124 3,019,504 2/ 1962Castagliuolo 24-124 XR 3,348,745 10/ 1967 Basile et al. 223-92 XR MERVINSTEIN, Primary Examiner G. H. KRIZMANICH, Assistant Examiner UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,510,032 May5, 1970 Paige E. Carver It is certified that error appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected asshown below:

Column 2, line 5, "horizotnal" should read horizontal line 25,"asisting" should read assisting line 63, "objects" should read objects,Column 3, line 52, "trail" should read trial Column 4, line 9, "plates"should read plate Column 5, line 59, after "on" insert said rod adjacentColumn 6, line 49, "slide" should read slider Signed and sealed this 5thday of January 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer

